Officially a dancer in motion, the piece photographed by Armenian photographer Rina Sranobian captured the seventh edition of the competition held within the scope of the Mediterranean Flamenco Festival. More than 40 works were submitted to the contest organized by the Mediterranean Foundation, taking place in Alicante and Murcia.
The winning photograph by Sranobian, described as bright and vivid, earned her an accreditation diploma and a prize of 600 euros. The runner-up spotlight fell to Navarrese photographer Carmenchu German, who received 300 euros for the second prize. A photograph titled Rites of Truthcatcher garnered a notable mention. The program asked how new generations experience flamenco in daily life. In addition, fourteen photographs received honorable mentions. All winning and notable works are exhibited at both festival venues in Alicante and Murcia and remain on display through the festival period at the Fundación Mediterráneo Aula de Cultura (Avenida Doctor Gadea, 1) in Alicante and at the Murcia headquarters (Calle Escultor Nicolás Salzillo, 7). The exhibition runs from October 26 to November 25. [Cited: Fundación Mediterráneo]
Winning
Rina Sranobian, who previously earned an honorable mention in the same competition last year and repeated the achievement this year, studied Interior Architecture at Manchester Metropolitan University and has lived in England since that time. While in England she pursued photography and developed an interest in music and performing arts across both the English and Spanish contexts. She is currently studying flamenco singing in Jerez de la Frontera, weaving a personal approach that remains deeply rooted in cultural values and history. [Cited: Mediterranean Flamenco Festival records]
Mentions
- Manuel Guijarro López: To Look
- Roberto Ruiz de Zafra: Guitar
- Pedro Estepa Galvez: Heels in Tablao
- Lorena Elizabeth Perez: Fire
- Juan José Pérez Jiménez: I Run Graná
- José Reyes Belzunce: Brave Fandango and Flamenco Song
- Antonio Alcazar Ojeda: Flamenco Courage and Art in Motion
- Javier Arcenillas: Guitar and Chano Lobato
- José Luis Méndez Fernández: Passion for Singing
- Rina Sranobian: Crown
- Francisco Carrasco: Cristina Hoyos
Carmenchu Alemán received the second prize in the photography contest. [Cited: Festival announcements]
Festival
The Mediterranean Flamenco Festival opens with a conference titled The Keys to Flamenco Photography, led by the festival director, Javier Serrano. This event takes place in Alicante on Thursday, October 26, at 19:00, and in Murcia on Friday, October 27 at 20:00. The talk includes a chance to comment on the competition photos and to view the exhibitions alongside the winning images.
Following the conference, the first concert features the singer Encarna Ring and guitarist Pituket. This performance marks a new phase for the festival’s competition, as Carmen Linares, the godmother of the Mediterranean Flamenco Festival and a Princess of Asturias Art Prize recipient, endorses flamenco artists who consistently deliver high-quality work but may not yet be widely known. Carmen Linares will accompany Anillo and Pituquete at the concert. The next festival event in Alicante is scheduled for November 2, a Flamenco dance master class led by Mercedes of Córdoba.
Tickets for the shows can be purchased at the box office and at the festival’s official site (no external links included here). [Cited: Official festival schedule]